Low Cost Advanced Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

40264 November 6, 1996 Materials & Electrochemical Research Corporation This Phase I project will demonstrate the applicability of a novel approach to produce low cost, high conductivity bipolar plates for fuel cell applications. Conductive polymers will be produced with comparable conductivities to currently used graphite bipolar plates. The fabrication technology of the conductive polymer will be investigated to produce net shape bipolar plates, thus eliminating the exceedingly expensive machining of graphite plates. The conductive polymer bipolar plates will be fully characterized and evaluated in single cell configurations for electrochemical stability, resistivity, and gas diffusion. The overall concept will be assessed both for technical performance and cost for further development in Phase II. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: Conductive polymers should offer a significant performance and cost advantages to fuel cell technologies. Net shape conductive polymer bipolar plates should have significant commercial potential in fuel cell markets and should enhance the application of this technology to power cogenerator plants for commercial buildings.